Question for the brain trust: Service center crashed my vehicle
 

Hey everyone, dropped my bike off for service this morning and got a call this afternoon that the technician working on my motorcycle crashed it. I've yet to see the extent of the damage - but from your collective experiences, what would be the best approach? I am most concerned with if the bike will be safe to ride, second concern is appearance, third is any lost value (vs. what I owe).

Those of you with similar experiences, can you share some insights? Feel free to PM me if you do not want to post publicly. I'm keeping specifics off the internet because who knows how these things play out. Thanks!

I would tell this shop that you are going to have another shop look the bike over to get an estimate on what repairs are needed . Bring that estimate to the dealer that crashed the bike . If they are willing to pay AND/OR fix what the other dealer say's needs to be fixed that would be a great start .

Shouldn't this be something to be handled by the insurance company? Personally I'd be taking it to another (recommended) shop if it is repairable. I'd be suspicious they might throw used parts on it for their repair.

Yeah, it gets reported up front, and all damage documented by a reputable third party plus an adjuster.

Sorry to hear this. You definitely want this fixed correctly or else another bike. Nothing under the table, so as to prevent problems later.

I'm kind of thinking maybe the shop that did the damage might be the best shop to repair it. They are already embarrassed - one way to redeem themselves would be to do an extra careful, top notch job of fixing it. They might even fix things they might not have damaged, just because it looks better for them. Give them a chance - if they seem as though they are contrite and embarrassed about all of this, and genuinely want to save face, I would let them. Of course if they are all pissy about it and try to claim most of the damage was "already there", that's a different story. Give 'em a chance - see which way they go.

I wonder what the hell they were up to with it.

Documentation should be first priority. Lots of pics, get from service center who, what, where.... in writing.

Make sure no one else was involved.

I agree with Jeff...

Giving them the benefit of doubt, they might not have been up to anything with it. It's a motorcycle, Sometimes **** happens....The question is how they take care of it now.

I just got back from meeting with the manager. I had some aftermarket parts that I put a lot of time into (bags, exhaust, fairing) and they offered to replace it all. I'm putting together details on all the parts and will send it over to see their response. I'm also asking for either a loaner (same class) or for them to pay for my rental car since it's my only transportation. The tech apologized profusely and wasn't injured. It was a slow high-side on a test ride, after installing new tires.

I took plenty of pictures and will be sure to get everything in writing. I just want my bike back the way it was. With the new tires of course.

Had a Jeep Cherokee in for dealer service. Was called and told they accidentally drove it off the lift. Told them to call me when they couldn't tell the difference between mine and a new one. Took them 4 days but I couldn't tell any damage had been done.

Damn Brando, you have the worst of luck. First the Cayman motor, now this. I am so sorry to hear. It will get better form this point on. I have nothing else to add to this post, but wish you the best of luck with the repair or situation.

Needs to be made right..period. Hope it all turns out well for you. I do think Jeff's suggestion is a good one.

Same thing happened to my buddy years ago when his Duc 748 was in for service. He ended up with his bike back in perfect condition and a 2nd track prepped bike for little out of pocket. Lemonade was made from lemons in that case.

Let the shop try to make you whole on this unfortunate situation.

Why don't you first let them show you the damage, and their proposal to make things right.
Why escalate before they even get a chance to show you what their customer service is like?

You might even end up on the + side of things compared to what the bike was before it went in, before service and crash.

Good point and that's exactly what we did. Our conversation was only about 30 minutes. They want to make it right so I will give them the chance. I had a few aftermarket parts on my bike which they'll need to source - as well as the OEM parts. I'm getting everything in writing (email) so we're all on the same page.

I'll give them the opportunity to make it right.

I'd give them the opportunity (as said above) and see what the resolve is. They seem to be working / going in the right direction.

Get a release of liability for any damage to others or any injuries that might of happened. My Jetta was driven into a house by my mechanic when he hit the gas instead of the brakes. A lawyer advised a release of all liability.

Best of luck, I hope you have a better experience that I did in a similar situation. I have posted here before about a shop that tipped over my 93 VFR while it was in for service. That began a long tale of stolen parts off of my bike, them losing their business, etc. The owner is back 3 years later opening another shop. He seems like a nice enough guy. The story was his mechanic was a piece of *(&^ at the other place but at best, he is a terrible business guy. I gave him many opportunities to redeem himself. I just pulled the bike out of 3 years of storage and realized the headlight bulbs are gone.....

Brief update...

Surprise surprise, no response from the service manager today. I even called after lunch to see if they even acknowledged my email - nada. One of my friends is telling me to call my insurance first thing in the morning. Now I have to get a rental as well.

Quick update #2.
I heard back from the service manager yesterday and they have started ordering parts. Still waiting for a timeline and they didn't have any loaners. I was able to borrow a friend's car since I opted for them to hold on to my bike while they make the repairs. They seemed to think it would all take 1 day but I disagree.

Once it's all done I'll post before & after pics. Plus I'll have a bunch of extra parts to sell.